Thuso Mbedu bags lead role in international TV series

Cape Town - Safta-winning actress Thuso Mbedu is set to lead a cast in an American series on Amazon.

The series is based on Coloson Whitehead’s book The Underground Railroad, according to Variety.

Taking to her Instagram to confirm the news with her fans, Thuso who will play the lead character of Cora alongside American actors Chase W.Dillion and Aaron Pierre in the 11-part series, excitingly revealed how preparing for her role made her grow so much.

"My thumb and neurons are failing me right now so I'll just do as most South Africans do when this happens: I GOT THE JOB!!!!" she wrote in the caption.

"It was such an amazing process and experience. Like, true story, just prepping to audition for this role made me grow so much. It's such a blessing and honour to tell this story... Again, words fail me so I'll stop there for now."

Underground Railroad, which will be directed by Barry Jenkins, is set to follow Cora who has escaped from her plantation in Georgia and makes a desperate journey to the South but she soon discovers much more than anticipated – a secret network of tracks underground as well as tunnels.